Donald Trump the US President in his bid to tackle gun violence following the Stoneman Douglas high school shooting three weeks ago has echoed between addressing tougher gun controls and calling for the Second Amendment. The Second Amendment preserves the right to keep and bear firearms as an American citizen. His original stance was to arm teachers and school staff as well as raise the age limit for purchasing firearms from 18 to 21 years.
Currently, his stance seems to want to please both divides; those calling for stricter gun laws and his Republican supporters as well as The National Rifle Association (NRA), a nongovernmental organization that fully supports the Second Amendment. As the week took to an end, the president is still not clear on his legislative priorities.
Trump Emerges Unclear on His Legislative Priorities
The White House indicated on Friday when it emerged that Trump was still unclear on his stance that at least the president was backing a bill that would provide new federal funding for stemming school violence and an increase proposal on background checks. While in a meeting with lawmakers at the White House on Wednesday, Trump stated that he would like to see a beautiful and comprehensive bill on gun controls. He immediately met with NRA officials in a private meeting then emerged terming the meeting as great on Twitter on Thursday.
Through the same platform, Trump outlined his preferences claiming that good and bad notions came out of the lawmakers meet. He added that background checks were the main topic of discussion during their session on Wednesday while it was noted that gun free zones are the main targets for killers. He then urged Americans to respect the Second Amendment.
Mitch McConnell the Senate Majority Leader amid all the confusion decided to shelve the gun debate. He added that the Senate will turn to other measures next week.
The State of Legislators
The situation between legislators dictates that there is disagreement between them. They do not know the appropriate manner to respond to the Florida high school shooting that led to 17 deaths. Republicans, as usual, have taken their stand to back away from stricter gun controls while the Democrats encouraged by the President’s bid are pushing for a determined action which includes increased background checks and a ban on assault weapons.
According to the new stance Trump is taking and the confusion it’s causing, it will cause the White House to bob and weave on gun laws. The predicament yet again shows how the president is an unreliable negotiator.
